Population Rise and Landfills: Top Concerns for East Delhi Voters!
Population rise and landfills are emerging as critical concerns for voters in East Delhi, shaping the narrative for upcoming elections. In this video, we delve into the reasons behind these issues becoming key planks for voters and explore their implications on local governance and community well-being.
The increase in population and the presence of landfills are significant factors influencing the electoral decisions of voters in East Delhi.
East Delhi has 2,120,584 voters and comprises 10 assembly areas: Jangpura, Trilokpuri, Okhla, Kondli, Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar, Vishwas Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, and Shahdara. The major concerns in the constituency include the massive garbage dumps at the Ghazipur and Okhla landfill sites, hazardous pollution levels at Anand Vihar, traffic congestion in Laxmi Nagar, narrow and congested lanes posing fire hazards in Gandhi Nagar, and the need for effluent discharge and cleaning of drains in Kondli and Taimur Nagar.
Residents of areas surrounding the Ghazipur landfill, such as Mullah Colony and Ghazipur Dairy, express frustration over the pervasive stench and health hazards caused by the dump, affecting their daily lives and even marriage prospects due to the refuse's presence. Law and order issues, including petty crimes like snatching and theft, are also prevalent concerns for residents like Vinod Varshney, who lament the lack of attention from lawmakers.
Sanitation is another significant issue, as evidenced by the persistent clogging of drains like the one along the Meerut Expressway, according to Varshney. Mayank Jha of Mayur Vihar Phase 3 highlights the poor maintenance of infrastructure in his area, including broken footpaths, congested roads, and neglected parks, which he believes could vastly improve residents' quality of life if addressed by politicians.
Aside from residential areas, East Delhi encompasses Okhla, an industrial zone, and Gandhi Nagar, home to one of Asia's largest readymade garments markets. The unplanned growth of Gandhi Nagar's market area has led to congested lanes and challenges in basic sanitation, as noted by KK Bali, president of the local market association.
In the upcoming elections, Kuldeep Kumar of the Aam Aadmi Party, the incumbent MLA for Kondli, will compete against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Harsh Malhotra, a former mayor of the erstwhile East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). Malhotra's manifesto focuses on cleaning the Yamuna river, improving connectivity, developing educational institutions, and slum redevelopment. He also pledges to establish a Trans-Yamuna Development Board within two months of election.
Malhotra credits the central government for landmark projects like the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, which have alleviated traffic congestion and reduced pollution in East Delhi. Kumar prioritizes improving law and order, addressing the Ghazipur landfill issue, and extending the Delhi Metro to areas like Mayur Vihar Phase 3.
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